Knight Klipz opens in La Porte

August 3, 2012

A group of four local women have collaborated their talents to open up Knight Klipz, a full service salon, in La Porte City. The grand opening was held June 16 and the salon officially opened for business on June 18.

Flo Grote, a licensed barber from La Porte City, is the former owner of Studio Image in La Porte City. Flo's sister-in-law, Jamie Grote, of Mount Auburn, worked at Studio Image as a licensed massage therapist. Flo and Jamie joined forces with Jen Gardner, a licensed barber from La Porte City, and Jenna Scott, a licensed cosmetologist from Dysart, to open up a "one stop shop" so that local residents would not need to drive to a bigger city for salon services.

Hair cuts are just the beginning of services offered. Jen offers an "old fashioned full service barber experience in a male-friendly atmosphere" that includes steam towels, a straight edge razor shave with hot lather.

Article Photos

The four local women who recently opened Knight Klipz in La Porte City pictured above are (from L to R): Flo Grote, Jamie Grote, Jenna Scott and Jen Gardner. Pictured below is the inside and outside of the shop.

"I listen to what you say, it's your massage, and you tell me what you want out of it. I am detailed in my massage. Most people coming in have some area of pain, or tension or tightness, so they need it worked out, but you don't need to be beaten," said Jamie, who offers massages with pressure or a lighter touch.

Other services include: styling, hair color, hair extensions, manicures, pedicures, facials, tanning and waxing. Services are extended to both men and women

The salon is located in the old Progress Review building. The ladies' husbands, which they refer to as the Knightz Konstruction Krew, did a complete renovation of the building, gutting it and transforming it into a stylish and comfortable salon. The renovation took a total of 48 days to complete, with the men working in their spare time on nights and weekends. Each of the ladies decorated their own work areas.

The four ladies grew up together and all graduated from Union High School. They are huge supporters of the Union Knights and decided to name their salon in honor of them.

"I was sitting at the state football game and thought, we have a really good fan base, what would be better than a shop that supported our community," Gardner said. The community is important to them and part of their goal is to be able to give back to the community by supporting the Knights.

"We want to do a lot of things for the school. Our focus is the school, all the way around, academics and athletics," Grote said.

The salon also sells, Dysart resident Abbie Hoppe's, All About U retail items which include t-shirts, Bondi Bands, window clings and the Vapur Anti-Bottle. Traditional salon products and tanning lotions are also for sale.

The salon aspires to be a community gathering place where locals can come enjoy the ambience of the salon and good conversation. Of age women customers will receive a complimentary glass of wine and of age men will receive a beer. The ladies pride themselves on offering low prices and superb quality.

"Flo has been cutting my hair for 10 years. I've never had any complaints. She has always done a great job. It's good to see them up here at the new place. It's awesome," said customer Rick Hardy, of Mount Auburn.

The ladies at Knight Klipz hope to form even more long lasting relationships with their customers. They invite everyone to stop by and support a new local business and they promise you won't be disappointed.